Potassium malate

Potassium malate

Names
IUPAC name dipotassium 2-hydroxybutanedioate
Other names Dipotassium malate; E351
Identifiers
CAS Number	585-09-1 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	144374 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.008.683
E number	E351 (antioxidants, ...)
PubChem CID	164689
UNII	5YO4AE78DB Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID80974053
InChI InChI=1S/C4H6O5.2K/c5-2(4(8)9)1-3(6)7;;/h2,5H,1H2,(H,6,7)(H,8,9);;/q;2*+1/p-2 N Key: SVICABYXKQIXBM-UHFFFAOYSA-L N InChI=1/C4H6O5.2K/c5-2(4(8)9)1-3(6)7;;/h2,5H,1H2,(H,6,7)(H,8,9);;/q;2*+1/p-2 Key: SVICABYXKQIXBM-NUQVWONBAI
SMILES C(C(C(=O)[O-])O)C(=O)[O-].[K+].[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H4K2O5
Molar mass	210.268 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Potassium malate is a compound with formula K₂(C₂H₄O(COO)₂). It is the potassium salt of malic acid.

As a food additive, it has the E number E351.¹ It is used as acidity regulator for use in, for example, canned vegetables, soups, sauces, fruit products, and soft drinks. It also acts as an antioxidant and a food flavoring agent.

It is an important compound in the transport of nitrate from the roots of a plant to the leaves of the plant. Potassium malate is the salt that transports from the leaves to the root. At the root, the potassium malate oxidizes to potassium carbonate, then is converted to potassium nitrate by soil nitrate and transported back to the leaves.